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One of the key features in
Watarrka National Park is the
mighty chasm of
Kings Canyon.
Visitors are treated to the spectacular sight of ancient sandstone walls, rising
up 100 metres to a plateau of rocky buttressed domes known as 'The Lost City'.
Nestled in the heart of Kings Canyon and protected by the towering vertical
walls is lush vegetation, and the delightful 'Garden of Eden' with its permanent
waterhole. Part of the George Gill Range, at the north-west point, is
Carmichael Crag1. A sacred site for the local
Aboriginal 'Luritja' People,
Carmichael Crag, together with the association hills are woven into the
dreamtime story of a mother dingo with her pups.
Watarrka National Park encompasses the western end of the George Gill Range and
is approximately by road, 310 km to the north east of
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and 470 km to
Alice
Springs.Accessible all
year round, the park is popular in the cooler months of April to September.
Whilst overnight camping in tents or campervans is not permitted in the national
park, there are commercial motel, resort and camping accommodation options available at Watarrka
Kings Canyon Resort,
Kings Creek
Station and the
Wilderness Lodge.
This spectacular region has occupied the hearts and minds of the traditional
'Luritja' custodians, whose home it has been for more than 20,000 years.
Little was known of the area, until the first European explorer, Ernest Giles
explored the area in 1872. |
